to Dinghy or not to Dinghy

[michigan girls]

So I'm considering renting a dinghy for one of the days we're there. Was thinking it might be an easy way to get to some of the harder to reach beaches, and out to waterlemon. My questions - do you just boat it right up to the beach and bull it ashore? Does this work at all the beaches? If we use it to get out to Waterlemon, will there be a place to leave it while we snorkel?

Thank in advance

[News of St. John]

If you make it to Waterlemon, you can tie up to a mooring ball. I only made it to Francis. It was a choppy day so I literally had to hold onto the rope for dear life. And when a big boat cruised by - forget about it! It was fun but I'm not sure I'd do it again.

As far as pulling up to beaches, we pulled onto Trunk and Francis. It's tough getting the anchor to stay put and we found ourselves struggling to keep it onshore.

It's an interesting experience but like I said, not one that I would do again.

[Bigcheeze]

check my avatar...any questions...

[waterguy]

If you get the tiler steered one you can pull up on most beaches ones with the consels they don't let you.

[SOonthebeach]

I have been thinking about this too- looks fun! Would love the pros and cons as well as suggestions for the best type to rent for 4 adults, 2/3 with good boating/sailing experience. Tiller or console? 1/2 day or full day? How far can you go?

[Muhaha]

You can go as far as Waterlemon, as well as the cays - whistling, Henley, Lovango. I will be getting the tiller again so that we can beach. But, I will admit that the console seems a lot easier.

[mnfun2bme]

[/My girlfriends and I had every intention of doing this in January when we were there. Unfortunately, the winds did not cooperate on the days we were free. I did not want to do it on a windy day when the swells were hitting the Northshore beaches - I assumed it would wreak havoc on my back, etc.... not to mention just the safety of it.
We will, once again, try to do it next year. I think it looks like a hoot! You will watch a video that shows you how follow the colored bouys if you plan to take it to the beach.... but as they said, you can not take the ones with the steering columns onto the beach.

Happy Dinghying!
[color]

[michigan girls]

So how will we know if it's a good day to do it? Is there a certain thing to look for in the weather report, or a website to check? We are not making any die hard plans, so we can be open on which day we choose. Am I right in thinking we can just check something in the morning and decide at that point if it's a good day to do it? Is there a concern with not finding an open mooring ball at Waterlemon?

Thanks for all the help on this

[sailorgirl]

Best conditions are calm winds and no swell, there is a website called, I think, Windguru, which you can consult. if there is a shore break it can be tricky to get off the beach. How much boating experience does your group have?

[michigan girls]

We have boating experience only on Michigan inland lakes and in Lake Michigan, so we're definitely looking for optimum conditions.

[mnfun2bme]

We watched the winds a few different ways:
1. Friend Palm Tree Charters on facebook. Captain John posts the weather each morning as he's heading out with his charter. Plus, it's fun to watch his facebook page even when you're back home!

2. Depending upon where you're at on the island, you can see what's going on. Watch the surrounding Cays for crashing waves on them if you can see any.

3. You can always check it out yourself. Hawksnest isn't far from town and a pretty good indicator.

Also, you should not have a problem getting a mooring ball at Waterlemon.

Girl trips to St. John are the best! We took 8 girls last January and everyone had so much fun! We did the same thing you are doing. No "SOLID" plans but 10 days we were there, only about two of them would have been dinghy"able" in my mind. I wasn't looking for calm waters, but the swells were really a nuisance when we were there. The funny thing is, it didn't ruin our trip at all. There are so many stunning beaches and you can always find one that's out of the wind.

Enjoy!

[Muhaha]

We have boating experience only on Michigan inland lakes and in Lake Michigan, so we're definitely looking for optimum conditions.

Don't worry at all. If you can handle a craft on Lake Michigan, then you can handle a dinghy on the north shore. It's not that bad and scary as you think. Just keep an eye on the National Weather Service web page for Cruz Bay. If there is a north swell, they will post a small craft advisory.

[hairman]

Just do it if the weather permits! Otherwise you'll always wonder what it was like. We have done it many times...It's a HOOT beaching one...Go to Noah's Little Arc's( with a cooler ) ask for Kim..say Harry & Ida sent you...Have a BLAST!!

[sailorgirl]

We have boating experience only on Michigan inland lakes and in Lake Michigan, so we're definitely looking for optimum conditions.

Are you thinking about one with the center console or the hand steered outboard. Both have pluses and minuses. the console ones can't be beached but have lots of room and easier to handle, but considerably more expensive. The smaller dingies can be entertaining to climb in and out of from the water. Those rip cords are sometimes hard for me in a bobbing boat without being able to get the right angle on it. I believe the consoles have a remote starter.

If you boat in Lake Michigan it shouldn't be a problem, just err on the side of caution and have fun. The distances can be deceiving, I think it took a good 60 -90 minutes to get out to Waterlemon. Noah Arks suggested going all the way out and working your way back.

[michigan girls]

Thank yo so much, all of this has really given me a good idea of what we're going to do. Think we'll just get up in the morning, check the websites, and go on the first day when theres not a small craft warning. We're definately going with the smaller one so we can beach it. Getting in and out will just make for some funny stories later